"It's a left midfoot sprain, and we are cautiously optimistic that he will be ready for Week 1", Hurney said via the Panthers' official website.

Proof? A headline from the Charlotte Observer reads: "If Cam Newton's foot injury is serious, the Panthers' entire season is in peril".

Thursday, the Panthers' third exhibition, was the first time Newton played this preseason, though he has practiced extensively. From there, he was escorted to the locker room before being seen walking out of the stadium in a walking boot.

The debut of the team's starting lineup, including quarterback Tom Brady, resonated with local audiences, as the WBZ-CBS broadcast generated the highest preseason Game 3 ratings since 2005.

But although this didn't look awful - and maybe it won't be, and the Panthers were whispering unofficially late Thursday night they didn't think it would be - foot injuries don't have to look bad initially to turn out poorly.